Mena's Baked Macaroni and Cheese with Caramelized Onion

Name: Mena's Baked Macaroni and Cheese with Caramelized Onion
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 1 h 15 min
Total time: 1 h 35 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 3 tbsp All-Purpose Flour; 1 cup Bread Crumbs; 6 tbsp Butter; 1 pinch Cayenne Pepper; 0.5 tsp Dry Mustard; 1 clove Garlic; 0.5 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese; 8 oz Macaroni; 1.75 cups Milk; 0.75 cup Reduced-Sodium Chicken Broth; 1 pinch Salt; 1 to taste Salt & Pepper; 8 oz Sharp White Cheddar Cheese; 0.5 tsp Sugar; 1 whole Sweet Onion

Dinner 🍽️Lunch 🥪 American High-Protein 💪Comfort-Food

Mena's Baked Macaroni and Cheese with Caramelized Onion marries tender pasta with a lush cheese sauce and ribbons of sweet, slow-cooked onion. A hint of cayenne and mustard adds gentle warmth, while a buttery breadcrumb crust bakes up golden and crisp. Serve it for a cozy dinner or a crowd-pleasing side when you want something rich and comforting.

Prep20 mins
Cook1 hr 15 mins
Serves6
DifficultyMedium

1

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Butter a 9x13-inch baking dish.
2

Melt 2 tablespoons of the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onions, sugar, and salt. Cook, stirring often, until the onions are caramel colored, 15 to 20 minutes.
3

If the mixture is too dry, add an additional tablespoon of butter. Set aside.
4

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add the macaroni and cook until slightly firm, 8 to 10 minutes.
5

Drain, cover, and set aside.
6

Melt 1 tablespoon of the butter in a small skillet over medium heat. Stir in the bread crumbs and toast lightly for a few minutes, stirring constantly.
7

Melt the remaining 3 tablespoons butter in a large pot over medium heat. Dissolve the dry mustard in an equal amount of water and add to the pot along with the garlic and cayenne pepper. Stir until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
8

Sprinkle in the flour and cook until golden, about 1 minute.
9

Slowly whisk in the milk and broth. Bring to a simmer, stirring constantly, until the mixture is slightly thickened, about 5 minutes.
10

Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the Cheddar and Parmesan cheeses until melted. Stir in the onions and season with salt and pepper.
11

Add the drained macaroni and stir until combined. Pour into the prepared baking dish and top with the bread crumbs.
12

Bake until golden brown and bubbling around the edges, 25 to 30 minutes.
13

Let cool for 10 minutes before serving.